Ride+Stride is an annual church open day and sponsored event organised by the LeicesterShire Historic Churches Trust and around 35 other county Trusts in England and Wales. It raised over £35,000 for churches and chapels in Leicester and Leicestershire last year – and more than £1m nationwide.
It always takes place on the Second Saturday in September which is Saturday 14 September 2019, which also falls within Heritage Open Days (13-22 September). There is very good synergy between Heritage Open Days and Ride+Stride day and many of our most historic churches and chapels are open for both events.
Participants can be sponsored for cycling, biking, riding, or walking from church to church (on their own chosen route) and you can also be sponsored for welcoming participants at your church. Half the sponsorship money goes to the Trust (to be awarded in grants for repairs and improvements the following year) and half to the church or chapel nominated by the sponsored participant.
Registration forms were sent out to over 500 churches and chapels throughout Leicester/shire before Easter, and we want to have 400 open on the day. We asked for forms to be returned by 11 May and any churches that have not yet returned their forms are asked to do so as soon as possible, so that we can do the printing for the event in June. Forms can be returned by post or by email to Janet Arthur, 20 Gumley Road, Smeeton Westerby, Leicester LE8 0LT. chairman@lhct.org.uk 0116 279 3995 or 07840 543288.